Randomless as a critical point: Simulation fitting better planning of distribution centers

Summary form only given. The proposal of this paper is to show the importance of using simulation technology in logistic operations studies for a Distribution Center (DC). In addition, it will be presented a way as simulation technology can generate several benefits in distribution centers projects, such as providing a better resources and equipment sizing, number of docks for inbound and outbound, flow of materials, layout, etc., preventing common sizing errors when using only static analysis with spread sheets. In the last four years, besides the project made by Beige at Ryder Logistics, we developed several simulation projects for DCs in other companies like Unilever, Mclane, DHL-Exel and observed that previous statics analysis typically implies in errors varying between 20% to 60% when comparing with dynamic studies (simulated models) and the real implementations.